Production Manager

Microcaps AG; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus system

5 weeks vacation

Collaborative team

Startup environment

Job summary

Microcaps AG is building a dedicated production operation in Worben (BE), Switzerland, focusing on alcohol-free fine fragrances. You will lead the on-site production team, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing with a strong safety culture and cross-functional coordination.

You will drive KPI-based production performance, implement GMP-driven processes for cosmetic products, and oversee short-term workforce and equipment planning.

Qualifications

• Technical or chemical basic training with HF/FH level or equivalent.
• 10+ years professional experience with at least 5 years in leadership in the chemical/related industries.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 22716; cgmp experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site production team with safe, efficient operations.
• Define KPI framework for QOTIF and OEE targets.
• Plan short-term workforce and material needs.
• Coordinate daily shopfloor meetings and on-site troubleshooting.
• Oversee on-site occupational health & safety owner role.

Skills

Leadership

GMP knowledge

Production planning

Safety culture

Communication

MS Office 365

Team development

Problem solving

Education

HF/FH levelProcessEngineering/ProductionManagement

Bachelor's degree in chemical/process engineering

Tools

LIMS

ERP

Job description

Microcaps is an ETH Zurichspin-off founded in March 2019. Our unique technology allows us to producehighly precise and innovative microcapsules that empower materials to unlocknew capabilities; all tailored to various markets from cosmetics to nutraceuticaland pharma.

Our first commercial focus is a genuine breakthrough for the perfume industry:alcohol‑free fine fragrances. We already have our first products on the market with reputable brand partners and are now preparing global launches to establish Microcaps as the reference for next‑generation fragrance bases.

With our dedicated perfume factory being finalized in 2025, our mission for 2026 is clear:make alcohol‑free fine fragrance available worldwide.

Tostrengthen our team in Worben (BE) we are looking for a:

ProductionManager, 100%

The Opportunity

As Production Manager you are responsible for ensuring safe, efficient,cost-conscious, and reliable production operations in full compliance withquality, occupational health & safety (OHS), and environmental standards.

You drive these operations through effective demand and productionplanning—coordinating personnel, machines, equipment, and intermediate productswithin agreed cost and resource targets—with the goal of executing productioncampaigns reliably and without uncontrolled interruptions.

You will be responsible for overseeing the manufacturing of our productsat our Worben production site and be the general point of contact for all teammembers (internal and external as well) and escalation point for the superusers on our machines. As the on-site owner of occupational health &safety, you actively promote a strong safety culture and lead by example. Youlead and develop the on-site production team with clear, motivating leadership,fostering a positive, accountable, and high-performing working environment.

The Offer

• Performance management incl. bonus system
• 5weeks of vacation
• Workingwith a highly skilled and passionate team
• Theopportunity to participate in building a business that is entirely new. Withnovel products and unique technology

Your Role

Leadership and team development:

• Lead, motivate,and develop the on-site production team, fostering a positive, safe, andhigh-performing working culture
• Train team inbest practices of a GMP driven production of cosmetic products

Production performance and KPI framework:

• Define and ownthe production KPI framework aligned with QOTIF (Quality On Time In Full),while covering e.g. equipment utilization/OEE, yield, schedule adherence
• Set targets andtranslate them into team- and shift-level objectives

Manufacturing Operations:

• Short-termworkforce planning to ensure timely, efficient, and controlled execution ofproduction campaigns
• Short-termresource planning for machines, equipment andmaterials
• AVOR activities& inventory management supported by relevant tools
• Coordination ofdaily production activities incl. leading the daily stand-up /shopfloor-meetings
• Coordination ofon-site troubleshooting for machines and infrastructure
• Coordination ofpacking of pallets including documentation in accordance with applicable SOPs

Occupational health & safety (OHS):

• Act as theon-site owner of OHS, ensuring compliance with applicable occupational safetyregulations and internal standards
• Ensure timelyreporting, investigation, and follow-up of incidents and near-misses, includingcorrective and preventive actions
• Govern safehandling of chemicals and production equipment in accordance with applicableregulations

Your will bring:

• Technical or chemicalbasic training with subsequent further education at HF/FH level (e.g. ProcessEngineering Technician HF, Certified Process Specialist, Production Manager,Head of Production Operations, or equivalent).
  
• Ideally more than 10years of professional experience and at least 5 years of leadership experiencein the chemical industry, preferably in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, orcomparable sectors
  
• In-depth knowledge ofthe manufacture of chemical products, as well as solid technical expertise inproduction facilities and production-related IT systems
  
• Knowledge of relevantquality standards, in particular ISO 9001 and ISO 22716, as well as experiencein a cGMP-regulated environment
  
• Additional trainingin PDCA, Six Sigma, ASGS, or certification as a first aider is an advantage
  
• Very good proficiencyin Office 365, especially Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio
• Valid Category Bdriving license and forklift license
• Work permit inSwitzerland required, fluent in English and German
  

You will bring:

• Laboratory skills likepH-, density-, refractive index- and viscosity-measurements
• Experience withmicrobiological testing is a plus
• Excellent IT skills towork with MS 365 tools but also a LIMS and ERP;great computerliteracy
• Great attention todetails
  
• Ability and enjoymentof self-organization and creating a highly organized environment within yourarea of responsibility
• You are a naturalcommunicator and are able to understand the needs of a dynamic team with ease
• Work permit inSwitzerland required, fluent in English and German

You will bring:

• Laboratory skills likepH-, density-, refractive index- and viscosity-measurements
• Experience withmicrobiological testing is a plus
• Excellent IT skills towork with MS 365 tools but also a LIMS and ERP;great computerliteracy
• Great attention todetails
  
• Ability and enjoymentof self-organization and creating a highly organized environment within yourarea of responsibility
• You are a naturalcommunicator and are able to understand the needs of a dynamic team with ease
• Work permit inSwitzerland required, fluent in English and German
• Committed personalitywith an open, proactive, and solution-oriented communication style
  
• High level of socialcompetence, enabling effective collaboration with various stakeholders andinterfaces
  
• Extensive experiencein direct and indirect leadership
  
• Ability to ensure asmooth flow of information between production staff, shifts, or teams, forexample through shop floor meetings
  
• Understanding ofescalation processes, particularly in situations involving supply chainbottlenecks
• Strong hands-onmentality with a focus on the here and now
• Structured,well-organized, and self-motivated personality
  

What's great in the job?

• A great team with an exciting and disruptive technology
• Fast paced and reactive decision making
• Real responsibilities and autonomy

What We Offer

Each employee has a chance to see the impact of his work.You can make a real contribution to the success of the company.
Several activities are often organized all over the year, such as weeklysports sessions, team building events, and much more.